James Pearson
Jim Pearson, of Quantico Middle/High School at Quantico Marine Corps base in Virginia, has been teaching for 15 years, all of which have been with DoDEA. Jim is the son of a naval officer and as a child attended a DoDEA school. After receiving a Bachelors of Science in History and Social Sciences from James Madison University, Jim accepted a position at Quantico. For the next 12 years Jim taught a variety of Social Studies courses in grades 7 through 12.
In May of 2000, Mr. Pearson earned his Masters Degree from George Mason University in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Integrating Technology. Jim has also taken a variety of other technology related courses from the University of Virginia. In 1997 Jim was selected as one of Quantico's representatives at DoDEA's Presidential Technology Initiative in Aviano, Italy. It was at this time that Jim caught the "technology bug." Later that year Jim applied to fill the vacant Education Technologist position at Quantico Middle/High School.
Jim has served as his school's ET since and in this position he has led teacher training on using existing and emerging technologies as ways of easing administrative task and more importantly enhancing the learning experience of students. Mr. Pearson is a firm believer in the constructivist approach and the important role technology plays in this philosophy.
Mr. Pearson currently lives in Prince William County near Washington, D.C. He is married to Sheila Pearson, a DoDEA teacher at Quantico, and has two daughters, Emily and Rachel. When away from the computer, Jim's interests include reading history and many outdoor activities from birding to fishing. Jim and his family enjoy traveling, but he maintains that his experiences as a DOD child make him determined to keep Virginia as his permanent home.
"I believe teachers need to relinquish the traditional role of "information giver" and take on the roles of assistant, guide, and evaluator. My job in the classroom is to provide the opportunities and information, through activities, that will assist students in creating their own knowledge."
